Leeds in club-to-club talks to sign £20m star

After securing survival in the Premier League last season, Leeds United have placed a huge focus on investing in quality over quantity during the current summer window.

Daniel Farke spoke about the need for added investment from the hierarchy to help him transform the club and take them to the next level in England’s top-flight.

Harry Wilson was the Whites’ first addition of the window, subsequently joining on a free transfer after rejecting a new deal at fellow top-flight outfit, Fulham.

Tarik Muharemovic became the club’s latest addition on Friday afternoon, with the Bosnian international arriving for £34m – making him the club’s second most expensive signing.

The 49ers have wasted no time in targeting added reinforcements this summer and have made serious moves to land a leading European star in recent days.

What Julian Brandt would add to Leeds in 2026/27

Over the last couple of weeks, Leeds have been one of many sides working tirelessly to secure a move for former Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt.

Like Wilson, the German international became a free agent on July 1st after rejecting a new deal and wanting a new challenge away from Signal Iduna Park.

Farke’s side have held face-to-face talks with the player’s agents in recent days, but it’s unclear if they are positioned ahead of the competition for his signature.

The 30-year-old has featured in the Champions League 61 times since the summer of 2019, even helping Dortmund reach the final back in the 2023/24 campaign.

He’s racked up 19 goal contributions during such a period, often being the Bundesliga side’s key talisman for goals and assists in the European competition.

Even last season before his departure from the Bundesliga outfit, Brandt registered 11 combined goals and assists in just 29 league appearances – 12 of which came as a substitute.

His experience and proven quality at the very top of the European game would make him a stellar addition for Farke’s side – especially with the attacker being available on a free transfer.

Leeds making progress on signing Brandt upgrade

Despite the huge efforts being made to secure Brandt’s signature, the Leeds hierarchy are making attempts to land other talents across Europe’s top-five leagues.

It remains to be seen how much more money Farke will have at his disposal this summer, especially after forking out a near club-record deal for Muharemovic.

However, the attacking department appears to be the area which is currently under the biggest focus – with Lyon attacker Pavel Sulc another under consideration.

It’s been reported by Foot Mercato that the Whites have been in club-to-club talks with the Ligue 1 outfit in recent weeks over the possibility of securing a move for the 25-year-old.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are two other sides said to be keen on a deal for the Czech international, who could be available for around £20m this summer, although it is Leeds who have made ‘progress’ in recent days.

Sulc may be an unknown quantity to many Leeds supporters, but he’s a player who managed to thrive last term – subsequently ending the 2025/26 campaign with 14 goals and seven assists.

The aforementioned figure was higher than that of fellow transfer target Brandt, with the Lyon star’s underlying stats highlighting his dominance over the German.

The 25-year-old managed to create 1.3 chances per 90 in Ligue 1 last term, with such a tally higher than that of the former Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder.

Such a tally ranks Sulc in the top 15% of all players in Europe’s top-five leagues – highlighting his tremendous ability to create endless opportunities for those around him.

He also managed to complete 47% of his attempted dribbles – also bettering Brandt in that department – which further showcases his all-round dominance over the free agent.

Even without the ball, the Czech international has proven to be a valuable option – subsequently making more tackles per 90 and regaining possession more in the final third.

His all-round skillset with and without the ball will no doubt have caught the eye of Farke, with the Leeds boss a huge fan of players who work tirelessly without the ball.

£20m in today’s market would be a superb piece of business for a player who has constantly showcased his ability to thrive in Europe’s top-five leagues.

Brandt may be the supporters’ number one option at present, but the hierarchy may decide that a deal for Sulc would be a more beneficial for the club ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.